June 1, 2007

Chicago, Ill. - The 2nd Annual Chicago Invitational Challenge at the Sears Centre will include the preseason 9th-rated Indiana Hoosiers, the 2007 Atlantic 10 champions -Xavier University, Illinois State University, Kent State University, the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Longwood University, Southeast Missouri State University and Coppin State University.

"It will be an honor and a big challenge for our team to play against the teams in the Chicago Invitational Challenge," said Southeast coach Scott Edgar. "Opening at Xavier against a team that nearly beat Ohio State in last year's NCAA tournament will be a challenge. Illinois State is a good Missouri Valley team and the teams we play in Chicago will be tough games. This early tournament will definitely give us a quick indication of how our team stacks up."

Xavier, 25-9 overall in 2007, returns the starting senior backcourt duo of Drew Lavender and Stanley Burrell after advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Illinois State begins its first season under new coach Tim Jankovich.

The Redhawks opening game will be at Xavier with the second game of the tournament at Illinois State. The third game will be against Coppin State at the Sears Centre in Chicago on Nov. 23. The following day, Nov. 24, Southeast will play either North Carolina-Wilmington or Longwood.

Rounds one and two will be played at Indiana, Xavier, Illinois State and Kent State, and final rounds Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 23-24 at the brand new Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Tickets are available beginning June 1, 2007 at the Sears Centre Box Office, select AMCORE Bank outlets, by phone at 1-888-SEARSTIX (732-7784), and online at www.searscentre.com. Tournament pass prices are $109 for floor seats, $98 for club level, $87 for lower bowl, and $65 for upper bowl and are good for all eight games Nov. 23-24.

Third Round Schedule (All Games played at Sears Centre) - Nov. 23: 12 pm CT UNC-Wilmington vs Longwood, 2:30 pm CT SEMO vs Coppin State, 5 pm CT Xavier vs Kent State, 7:30 pm CT Indiana vs Illinois State.

Championship Round (All Games played at Sears Centre) - Nov. 24, 12 pm CT loser of UNCW/LU vs Loser of SEMO/CSU, 2:30 pm CT winner of UNCW/LU vs Winner of SEMO/CSU, 5:00 pm CT Loser of XU/KSU vs Loser of IU/ISU, 7:30 pm CT Winner of XU/KSU vs Winner of IU/ISU.

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